Prelude to the Cruise: August 27 - September 2
Both my sister Laurie and I have been so looking forward to this adventure since we'd booked it TWO years ago and one week prior to the trip last fall we received word that the water levels were so low (due to the historic heat and drought in Europe that summer) that the trip had been cancelled. When that happened they gave us a full refund and a cash incentive to re-book, which we did. Friends of Kim and I had sailed across Europe in July and they contacted us to tell us they'd been disappointed because low water levels had impacted their trip, so I was concerned for our trip once again. On Tuesday Aug 26 I was researching the water levels and ran across a blog by a fellow who'd been on our exact trip and itinerary in June and they too had been impacted by low water levels, but got to go on the trip. After I'd read through the "modifications" I showed it to Kim and said that if this was what we were presented with - (a) get to go on the trip but (b) when we got on board the ship it wouldn't sail, it would be a "boatel." We'd spend the first half on one boat in southern Germany, then after our excursion on the fifth day we'd be returned to a second ship, farther upriver and stay in the same identical room on an identical sister ship - I'd be ok with that. I felt that way because the entire "sailing" portion of our trip was scheduled to be after dinner and overnight, so we'd be waking up onboard and wouldn't miss any scenic sailing. But we'd see all the same places and do all the same excursions. Well, as fate would have it, on Wednesday we received an email telling us that this would be what was happening.....
In addition to the modifications, we were offered two options. The first was we could cancel and get a full refund. My Mom asked that if Laurie weren't going, and/or if it had not been cancelled last year would I have opted for the refund. I told her no and the reason was I'd seen this "modification" online from that fellow's trip in June and he'd remarked that the trip had every bit as wonderful as previous Viking adventures. So I was ok with the changes. The second option was that if we proceeded with the trip, Viking would extend us a 50% discount on any future booking! And you KNOW I'll be wanting to sail on other Viking itineraries, so that's a big perk for going. Also on Wednesday the local weather stations began to forecast that a "tropical disturbance" in the Caribbean was forming and headed our way. Though the weather experts said we had to keep an eye on it, the track of the storm had it turning into a Category 1 Hurricane over the Caribbean and then weakening as it approached us to become a low pressure system early Labor Day weekend. I was mildly concerned about Kim's Saturday evening flight to Pennsylvania and my Sunday evening flight to Ohio. Then on Thursday the track suddenly became more serious. Now it looks like the hurricane would reach Category 3 status and make landfall in West Palm Beach, about 30 minutes north of us overnight Sunday. With the storm being that close I was certain my flight, if not Kim's would be impacted. Then on Friday morning the storm's projected track shifted a bit northward, and it was slowing. This unfortunately meant it would now be a stronger Category 4 but it would arrive later on Monday. Enough - I now felt certain that I needed to change my flight so I moved it back a day to Saturday right about the same time as Kim's flight. As the storm continued to intensify and we were looking at perhaps the strong winds causing a "precautionary" closing of the airports, Kim and I made a decision on a back-up plan. If Saturday at lunch the airport was closed or closing we would simply drive to Ohio/Pennsylvania. Then late Friday night the storm slowed even more and now there appeared to be an impending turn in the track near the coast. By Saturday morning the current forecasts called for the storm to slow even more, not getting close to Florida until Tuesday AND the storm would NOT make landfall along the SE portion of Florida. Could have kept my flight on Sunday, but I was glad to be sure that I was in Ohio to be able to enjoy the trip to Europe. So I had a very smooth trip and arrived via Southwest on Saturday night, August 31.
Tuesday September 3 / Wednesday September 4: Travel Day
Laurie and I set out for Port Columbus International Airport Tuesday afternoon. Arrived at the airport about 1 pm and our flight left on time for Newark at 3 pm. The initial flight was a "commuter" plane with about 20 rows, one seat one side / two seats on the other; it was narrow and small but a smooth ride. Got to Newark a little early at 4:45 and thought we had about three hours, but it turned out to be longer as the flight was delayed. So we sat down at a bistro and split a small pizza. Boarded the BIG jumbo jet and found our way to our seats in "Premium Economy." Let me tell you, I've been in premium before but Lufthansa premium has LOTS of leg room, and we had EXTRA because I'd reserved the exit row!
The scheduled time was eight hours, but we were told right away it would be seven hours "wheels up to wheels down." I've flown internationally several times and typically on the way there, about four hours in it gets to be a long flight, but you just work through it as it's well worth it. Not so today! The standard announcements and first beverage then the menu for the meal and we were about an hour into the flight. Meal done, another half hour. I had turned on a movie just before dinner. Finished it (ironically Laurie finished her at nearly the same identical moment) and within seconds the cabin lights were dimmed as it was "sleep time." We both closed our eyes and were pretty much out for about three hours. Woke up as the lights came on - breakfast time and we were only a little over 90 minutes from touch down! SMOOTH flight!
It was about 10:30 am Munich time, for for us it was only 4:30 in the morning. The announcement came on that because we were delayed in leaving we were about 20 minutes late in arriving but all of us should make our connections. We knew we had about thirty-five minutes to get to our gate. Just before we landed some gate changes were announced and we were one, but only by one gate. We exited the plane, made the LONG trek out of the "H" terminal and then had to wait in line to pass through passport control. Clock's ticking - it will be close, but I was sure we'd get to the "K" terminal and gate right about the time boarding began. Of course we were all the way at the end of the "K" gates, but when we arrived there were two Lufthansa agents waiting to tell us the gate had been changed again, to "J-2," which of course was half the trip back we'd just walked! Got there right about time that boarding SHOULD have started only to see the board change to indicate our flight to Prague was now delayed 45 minutes. WOW.
But truly that was the only real hassle of the trip. We had a quick flight once we took off (35 minutes in the air) and as we entered baggage claim, there was Laurie's bag already on the carousel and within a minute there was mine! Awesome. Walked out and is standard procedure for Viking where you are SO well cared for, three agents were waiting for us. The flights all day had been jumbled, like ours, said the agent and so at this point in time there were only five of us on this shuttle to the hotels. Within half an hour we were in the lobby, met out Program Director and got all the info. Went up to the room to rejuvenate and get ready for the first round of activities....a "familiarization" walk around the area near the hotel and then a "Prague Folklore Dinner." And when we return this evening around 10 pm we will be up early tomorrow for an 8:30 excursion around the city, followed by two more activities - another FULL day! Whooo hooo.
Prague Folklore Dinner
First, at 5:30 we met for a brief orientation walk from the Viking local guide Markete who showed us around the local area for about a half an hour. Quick trip back to the room to drop off our newly acquired "quiet boxes" which allow us to hear the guide from up to fifty yards away, and went back to the lobby to await the departure of our group for the Folklore Dinner outing.
We boarded the bus about 6:45 and headed out.....left the city and went about 40 minutes into the countryside before we arrived at the small, local establishment where we were treated to endless glasses of either wine or beer; traditional singing and dancing; and a full four-course meal of traditional Czech Republic food. Didn't get back to the hotel until 10 pm and after a FULL day - nearly 27 hours since we arrived at the airport in Columbus we were ready for bed. BUT it was an amazing day.
Laurie and I set out for Port Columbus International Airport Tuesday afternoon. Arrived at the airport about 1 pm and our flight left on time for Newark at 3 pm. The initial flight was a "commuter" plane with about 20 rows, one seat one side / two seats on the other; it was narrow and small but a smooth ride. Got to Newark a little early at 4:45 and thought we had about three hours, but it turned out to be longer as the flight was delayed. So we sat down at a bistro and split a small pizza. Boarded the BIG jumbo jet and found our way to our seats in "Premium Economy." Let me tell you, I've been in premium before but Lufthansa premium has LOTS of leg room, and we had EXTRA because I'd reserved the exit row!
It was about 10:30 am Munich time, for for us it was only 4:30 in the morning. The announcement came on that because we were delayed in leaving we were about 20 minutes late in arriving but all of us should make our connections. We knew we had about thirty-five minutes to get to our gate. Just before we landed some gate changes were announced and we were one, but only by one gate. We exited the plane, made the LONG trek out of the "H" terminal and then had to wait in line to pass through passport control. Clock's ticking - it will be close, but I was sure we'd get to the "K" terminal and gate right about the time boarding began. Of course we were all the way at the end of the "K" gates, but when we arrived there were two Lufthansa agents waiting to tell us the gate had been changed again, to "J-2," which of course was half the trip back we'd just walked! Got there right about time that boarding SHOULD have started only to see the board change to indicate our flight to Prague was now delayed 45 minutes. WOW.
But truly that was the only real hassle of the trip. We had a quick flight once we took off (35 minutes in the air) and as we entered baggage claim, there was Laurie's bag already on the carousel and within a minute there was mine! Awesome. Walked out and is standard procedure for Viking where you are SO well cared for, three agents were waiting for us. The flights all day had been jumbled, like ours, said the agent and so at this point in time there were only five of us on this shuttle to the hotels. Within half an hour we were in the lobby, met out Program Director and got all the info. Went up to the room to rejuvenate and get ready for the first round of activities....a "familiarization" walk around the area near the hotel and then a "Prague Folklore Dinner." And when we return this evening around 10 pm we will be up early tomorrow for an 8:30 excursion around the city, followed by two more activities - another FULL day! Whooo hooo.
First, at 5:30 we met for a brief orientation walk from the Viking local guide Markete who showed us around the local area for about a half an hour. Quick trip back to the room to drop off our newly acquired "quiet boxes" which allow us to hear the guide from up to fifty yards away, and went back to the lobby to await the departure of our group for the Folklore Dinner outing.
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